RANT: If you're healthy, don't bitch at me about the flu vaccine!

[blondeatlast]

I knew this was coming, so I waited until it reared it's ugly head--and sure enough, it did, right here in the Lounge.

I'm in THREE risk groups, plus I have a school-age child. I also work extensively with the public, including the homeless. I have SIX doctors I see on a regular basis, and ALL have had their orders cancelled. That includes an endocrinologist and a cardiologist.

Goody for you if you've never been immunized. Goody for you if you're healthy. I hope you never do have to worry about such a "minor" little detail in your life. But a bunch of people you know, but would never expect, have serious reasons to be concerned.

So I'm asking, nicely--please don't brag that you've never gotten a flu vaccine, or the flu itself, or trivialize my (and many others) concern.

It's not funny or trivial to lots of us.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. uhm, okay?

As you wish, I suppose, but I don't exactly see taunting going on, and as someone who gets the flu every single year, I don't see it as being extremely horrible unless you have an immune system problem.

[meti57b]

4. Two of my grandparents died young in a flu epidemic.

The flu isn't just a bad cold, ... it's something else.

[blondeatlast]

9. Bad cold DOES NOT equal the flu; you've bought into the advertising.

Two vastly different things.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

11. Advertising?? How about experience??

I get the flu every fucking year. Like clockwork. It's developed into pneumonia in me before. I haven't bought into any advertising. I'm a living fucking billboard for what typically happens when you get the flu.

Unless you have a weak immune system or some other problem, the flu is typically not a serious threat. Period.

[Kellanved]

16. wrong

Somebody who has the flu, will spread the flu. The ability of one person to deal with it does say nothing about the next person's.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

19. Who denied that?

Certainly not I. And there should be adequate flu vaccines for those who need it. But for the vast majority of people, it's not necessary and not life-threatening. I'm sorry, but it's not ebola we're spreading here.

[Susang]

21. Influenza was the 7th leading cause of death in 1999 and 2001

And that's only in the United States. Those stats come direct from the CDC

It killed way more than Ebola. You might want to educate yourself a little more on the subject before you make ridiculous pronouncements. Lots of otherwise healthy people have died from influenza. Just ask Jim Henson.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

25. Perhaps YOU should educate yourself.

Jim Henson died of a rare bacterial pneumonia. Why did people think it was the flu? Because they have very similar symptoms. In fact, most cases of the flu are misdiagnosed as such, for lack of desire to perform better testing.

On edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Henson

[Susang]

31. What do you think influenza develops into?

Trust me, I am highly educated about this subject, having had pneumonia several times along with a bad immune system due to an endochrine disorder. Most people who die from the flu actually die from the resultant pneumonia. Henson developed a staph infection (a bacterium similar to the one that causes strep throat and a common co-morbid condition of the flu) after ignoring his severe flu symptoms for three days.

Updated Dec 10, 2003
Does the flu have complications?
Yes. Some of the complications caused by flu include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections as complications from the flu. Those aged 65 years and older and persons of any age with chronic medical conditions are at highest risk for serious complications of flu.

Updated Sep 22, 2004
How many people get sick or die from the flu every year?
Each flu season is unique, but it is estimated that, on average, approximately 5% to 20% of U.S. residents get the flu, and more than 200,000 persons are hospitalized for flu-related complications each year. About 36,000 Americans die on average per year from the complications of flu.


http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/disease.htm

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

49. Key words:

after ignoring his severe flu symptoms for three days.

Game, set, and match.

[CAcyclist]

37. The flu weakens your immune system

so that complications like bacterial pneumonia can develop. It also does things to the defense mechanisms of the lining of the bronchi that make it easier for bacteria to invade into your lungs.

Without getting the flu, most people that then go on to get bacterial pneumonia never would have gotten pneumonia.


In addition, most people haven't been paying attention, but several Asian countires are experiencing a reemergence of a particualrly virulent form of bird flu which has killed a higher percentage of its human victims that ebola has. It had been demonstrated to have had human to human transmission. So far, it isn't an epidemic, but if it does become an epidemic, we'd better hope we don't have
Bush in office then.

[Kellanved]

40. one more reason for the flu shot

Having one lowers the likelihood of a an erroneous diagnosis.

[CAcyclist]

34. Pneumonia isn't exactly not serious

Pneumonia could weaken your heart.

35,000 people a year die of the flu. My grandmother died of the flu.

[nickinSTL]

2. I've never gotten the vaccine

But I'm not bragging.

I generally haven't gotten it because:

1. I'm not in a high-risk group. I'm a young, healthy adult, and if I get the flu, I'll survive.

and, 2. I don't spend a lot of time around high-risk people, so I'm not at high risk of either getting the flu, or passing it to others.

I think that the vaccine, particularly this year, with low supply, should be for those most at risk, and for those who are regularly in contact with those at risk.

I hope you can get the vaccine you need.

[kikiek]

3. It is a very big deal. I think it should be bigger news than it is.

This was an outsourced job I heard. Also Hillary Clinton said on Unfiltered that they tried to pass a bill a few years ago to prevent this from happening. Of course the Republicans didn't want their drug companies to have to stop their profit making long enough to make the flu vaccine so it didn't happen. The experts have been predicting for couple years now a return of the virus like the 1918 one that killed hundreds of thousands. They just don't care. I wonder how many from Congress got the shot. I know Bush said he didn't, but he isn't among people anyways. I am a nurse that does home care. I am skipping it this year. Our hospital is turning all the ones employees don't use back to the community. Our nursing homes don't know if they will get any. It could wipe out many of them.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. I hope that you and yours are able to get the flu shots

and I think it is a shame that there isn't enough to go around.

I hope that no one was "bragging" about not getting the flu shot, but rather saying it so that you would know that they were trying to make it so there would be enough shots for you and yours. I've had the flu, and it is no fun.

[CAcyclist]

36. It's not just a shame - it's Bush's fault

This can be laid at Bush's door. He should never have let just one pharmaceutical company be responsible for most of the vaccine production. That's what we have a government for - to protect us.

What's the point of protecting us against terrorists( not that I think the Bush Administration actually IS doing that) if that results in more people dying of the flu because the administration is too incompetent to be paying proper attention?

This isn't the jungle - with the fittest surviving and the weak dying off and that's all fine and dandy. ALL citizens - even the weak ones - need and deserve protection.

[spotbird]

6. Black elderberry syrup

I know a woman, who is perfectly healthy, who waited in line with handicapped people behind her to get a shot. Naturally she is a Republican. The people in line behind her were complaining that only at risk people should get the shot, but this lady lamented that if she weren't going to fly during the holidays she wouldn't have taken one. She had her perfectly healthy boys, age 12 and 14 with her to get the shot also, after all their holiday shouldn't be at risk either.

Back to Black Elderberry, it really works. Check this out http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11399518&dopt=Abstract have some around in case you start feeling symptoms at an inconvenient time. I've tried it for colds also and found it seems to nip them in the bud.

[faithnotgreed]

32. i would "add" sambucol, grapefruit seed extract, garlic cloves

not mixed all together of course!

sambucol is brand name of syrup made of elderberry, echinacea, zinc, sweetener. they also make a black elderberry liquid

gse (nutribiotic brand) is good for anti bacterial and anti viral and is used worldwide in the worst conditions to get rid of some nasty viruses, clean water etc.
this is bitter so i add it into fresh orange juice or grapefruit juice. make sure to stir well because it will sink to the bottom as a whole. and you dont want to drink it like that if you can avoid it!

im going to have some right now since im getting a cold

fresh garlic is another all purpose natural and inexpensive remedy
vitamin c....

[tjdee]

7. I don't think anyone was trivializing at risk people??

Even in my thread, I think most people (including myself) said that at risk persons need to be protected?

Obviously?

[blondeatlast]

8. I didn't see your thread; it was someone else's that got my blood boiling.

Obviously you understand the issue, this poster didn't have a clue.

[flamingyouth]

10. Hear, hear!

I have asthma and two at-risk parents. I'm in the same boat. Last year I didn't get a shot, and I got very sick with the flu (luckily I didn't get pneumonia).

My doctor's office says they'll be getting a shipment in and that I'm on a list. My parents' clinic, however, doesn't know if or when they'll be getting theirs. My dad also has asthma, so I'm very concerned about him.

I hope things work out for you; I agree, it's very stressful.

[prolesunited]

17. I was wondering about that

Does asthma put me in an at-risk group? Should I be calling my doctor? The articles I read just said chronic conditions and wasn't sure.

I've gotten flu shots the past several years at work, but I'm sure that won't be available this year.

[flamingyouth]

18. I would try to get one if I were you

IIRC, you mentioned getting lots of sinus infections, etc., before they diagnosed you with asthma. I have a strong tendency toward getting pneumonia, even though I've had the pneumonia vaccine. Ask your doctor what he/she thinks about it. :hi:

[Misunderestimator]

12. Maybe I didn't read the thread in question...

Though I did start a thread over a week ago on this. It's never the intention (I hope) to denigrate someone in a risk category for getting a flu vaccine. My point, at least, was that healthy people are a bit hypochondriacal in their always getting flu vaccines every year... and there ARE risks in taking them.

I agree that it is a very different question for someone at risk.

[noonwitch]

13. I never get flu vaccines-I didn't get sick last year

I'm planning to continue to take my vitamins, eat right and daily thank God for my strong immune system. That combination seemed to work for me last year.

I hope they give my sister one. She had an illeostomy a couple of years ago, and has a j pouch, but has had a long recovery with many complications like abcesses and infections. She does not need to get the flu, and the vaccines have really worked for her over the years.

[IconoclastIlene]

46. Ive never gotten a flu vaccine or the flu

nor rubella shot or rubella (german measles)

[skygazer]

14. I understand your rant

The flu can be deadly serious and the vaccine shortage is a grave public health issue that is not being addressed properly by those in charge (is anybody surprised?).

I've had issues in the past and required a flu shot - I do not any more and am relieved but I sure hope you and yours are able to score them.

There is a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation about the flu. Many people think they have the flu when they only have a nasty cold. Many mistakenly believe that anti-biotics will help a flu - they do not. Flu is a virus and there is no known cure for a viral infection.

Over 30,000 Americans die yearly from the flu, according to the CDC. There's nothing trivial about that.

[Maddy McCall]

15. Well said...

I am in two risk groups. Also, my father whose resistance is down because of cancer, who is 75 years old, won't receive the shot.

It's a huge problem and not one that people should make light of.

I'm with you, BAL, 100% and appreciate you saying what I have been thinking.

[ProfessorGAC]

20. I'll Join Your Rant

I felt it necessary to defend my taking the flu vaccine every year because i have MS and asthma. The last thing i want is for my immune system to kick into overdrive to shed the flu and fevers and asthma do NOT go together. They'll cause fluid build in the bronchia which can lead to pneumonia.

Science is on my side on this one, and i shouldn't have to defend why i take a vaccine to stay well.

The Professor

[Commendatori]

22. This is honestly a problem with you?

Yesterday I got ripped by someone for saying that I've never taken a flu vaccine, but it was in the context of answering whether or not I'll try to get one. My answer: "I've gone 41 years without one, I'll try going 42." Result: a lecture similar to the one you posted. I was unaware that there was a standard operating procedure for answers regarding this issue, and couldn't imagine that my answer was taunting, bragging, boasting or gloating.

If I sound snotty, I apologize in advance, but I'm becoming incredibly tired of people telling others what they can and can't say. I get enough of that from the "you can't support the troops without supporting the war" crowd in my office.

Good luck getting the shot, though.

[Misunderestimator]

24. Yeah, but you're just ornery

:D :bounce: :hi:

[Commendatori]

26. You try sitting in this office!

Nice to see you :)

[Misunderestimator]

27. No way... I like my house better

:) No matter what your office is like. Nice to see ya too.

[Kazak]

23. I know someone who...

lost her 19 year old, otherwise healty, son to the Flu last year.

:(

[flamingyouth]

28. Well, it looks like I won't be getting one after all

My doctor had hoped to get a small supply, but now the office will be receiving nada. They just called a few minutes ago. And I've tried calling our county health department, but they have such a small supply that they are reserving the shots for at-risk young children only.

All I can hope is that I won't get the flu this year.

And that asswipe talked on Wednesday about how he's not getting a flu shot. :grr: La-de-da for him. :grr:

[blondeatlast]

41. Got word this AM that my work will have them but you MUST sign an affadavi

that you are considered high risk.

Not a problem for me.

Hoping they will scare up enough for others.

I had to laugh, my health insurance company sent a reminder card today; I called, and they had NO IDEA where I could get the vaccine.

[flamingyouth]

42. I'm glad you're getting one - you need it

I'm just going to hope for the best, that I won't get sick. Last year I had a kidney infection, which really compromised my immune system, but I'm feeling much better now, aside from the asthma.

:hi:

[blondeatlast]

44. Hoping for the best for you...

and I have to laugh at the absurdity of it all, in a way.

What a bizarre (but pleasant and very welcome) fellowship this is!

[flamingyouth]

45. Yes, hooray for homeland security!

NOT. :grr:

What a pathetic mess this whole thing is, really. It makes me very angry. At least my parents are getting their shots; I was worried about them.

[kslib]

29. Umm, I'm new

but I read the flu stuff, and didn't see anyone say that you shouldn't get a flu shot if you're high risk. However, for healthy people, who don't work in the health care industry with high risk folks, the best protection against this nasty virus is hand washing. There are many types of flu strains, and the vaccine does not protect against all of them, so hand washing and disinfecting is your best bet. Also, using disinfectant on office phones, keyboards, and remote controls is very beneficial, as is using hand sanitizer when you touch something that could harbor germs. This is enough protection for healthy individuals, but at risk groups should take the extra precaution of the shot. When there isn't enough to go around, it is selfish for healthy people to get the shot when the flu is OFTEN merely an inconvenience for them, and potentially deadly for others.

:loveya:

[Bridget Burke]

30. Science is hard for us Liberal Arts types.

However, I believe in Continuing Education. There've been several threads about "it's all a media scam" or "what did people do before the vaccine". They never got the shot & never got the flu; that's called anecdotal data.

Given the number of people who die from the flu every year, it's evident that all the people who ought to get the vaccine, don't. Even in a "good" year. That's shameful & one of the indicators that our country's health care isn't as good as it should be.

And, even though I'm healthy, I'll be lining up for my free shot at work--next year. I'd prefer not to be sick as a dog for two weeks; my job is fairly busy & I lack a live-in nurse. And I'd rather not be shedding virus around those who'll get sicker than I might; contagion begins before symptoms appear.

[CAcyclist]

39. I love that line

"What did they do before the flu shot?"

Um, more people died.

I get that all the time as a veterinarian. People ask me"What do dogs do in the wild?"

Um, they suffer and die.

[Dogmudgeon]

33. I don't need a flu shot

For I already have the flu.

Nope, it's not funny or trivial, blondeatlast. I nearly croaked once from Influenza A/H3N2. Nastiest damn illness I ever had.

This one is, I think, a Type B flu. They're going to have to hustle my 91-year-old granny to get a shot, though. She's been sick lately.

Stay well!

--bkl

[Nikia]

35. If you do get flu, get treatment right away

I don't know how effective they are, but when I got flu almost 5 years ago, they gave me antivirals which are suppose to cut down on the severity and duration of flu if given early. Also, don't do anything remotely strenuous and take care of yourself. Not only do you increase your risk of developing complications, but you also spread it to other people if you go out and do your normal activities. If you get worse instead of better after a few days, go to the doctor again. Although flu is a virus that needs to run its course, prompt early treatment can prevent complications like pneumonia from getting out of hand.

[flamingyouth]

38. I had that last year

And I was only six for four days and didn't get bronchitis or pneumonia, which was just shy of a miracle for me. :)

[MrSandman]

43. Nooone who has had the flu...

Would brag about not ever being vaccinated.

[VOX]

47. I with you, blondeatlast. I'm not in any risk groups, but when I get...

the flu, it often turns into bronchitis; on two occasions in my life, I developed pneumonia from bouts of the flu.

Recalling these episodes, it's EASY to see that if I had been elderly, or immune-compromised in any way, I probably wouldn't be here now typing this post.

I have seen the value in getting annual flu shots for a long time, and I am sorely distressed that it might not be available this year.

Hang in there -- :hug:

[Lady Effingbroke]

48. Can I rant about the poor old people I met at a county clinic?

Having no insurance, and needing a Hep B shot for the med lab tech program I am enrolled in at my suddenly vaunted local junior college, I went to a county clinic. There were many elderly people lined up to get their flu shots, several of whom told me their doctors had sent them to the clinic, as the severe shortage of the vaccine was making it almost impossible for private-practice physicians to acquire and dispense. These people are the lucky ones - at least they got their shots. How many others in high-risk groups who benefit from the flu shot will have to do without and hope they don't get sick? THAT'S what makes me angry about this whole flu-shot situation!